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Issue #84, Part 2 - March 2008

Anthony P. popped up to Edinburgh from Liverpool. Doesn't go to anybody elses gigs - only ours. Good show!

Marty G. works in a college. Some of the students recognizing ATYD in the movie.

Carol: Sorry - don't know.

Steve Abs sends a glowing report - even Sam gets an honorable mention. I was knocked out with Scoobie (our sound chap). Excellent.

Dirk: Never heard of them, sorry.

Terry: Obama - Obama - Obama - Obama Did I leave somebody out?

Peter Jordan: Up on Leeds gig.

Jez Helliwell: I did appreciate the standing O at Milton Keynes. Funny gig that. It was too hot and my voice dried up. There was noting wrong with my chops - I had them all the following day. It was just too airless and they'd used that smoke that they swear doesn't hurt your voice - but I'm sure I'm allergic to it. I've now banned all smoke. Great review - thanks.

Drew Hosey: 'Bastard' is a love song; a truthful love song as opposed to all the drek.

Ian Mant enjoyed Plymouth? Glad you did. I don't know who was talking either. I was told it was 'fans' who talked through songs they'd either didn't like or didn't know. Beats me. Disgusting place.

Tony Unwin says it was the same idiots as last time in Plymouth and Tony was embarrassed. 'Hope you don't think we've all like that.' Obviously, I don't. The other gigs more than made up for it. 'Play the du Maurier Festival at Fowery - different audience altogether.'

Oystein Reiersen: yep. Great movie set 'after the corporate wars.' That blew me away then - look at what we're confronted with now. 'Rollerball' is straight out of Norman Jewison.

Nigel Edridge loved Iswich.

Ian Kemp: Don't know about this, but Craig and I get on very well.

Steve - Re: Edinburgh: 'I was one of the lucky ones - most people could only see the person in front. Not a great venue made worse by the fact you guys were seated.' It was not the greatest venue to play, but Mick Brown said he couldn't find anywhere else. Ideally, you want all the venues to be like Milton Keynes/Manchester/Leeds - but very often they're booked up a year in advance. Then you have to consider routing. And we honestly didn't expect some of the turn out we got. Our apologies to the people at the back in Edinburgh. We'll try for a theatre next time - but it's not easy.

Alex: Secret Records pt out 'Strings Attached' in the UK.

Ian Martin: 'Thanks for coming.' You're welcome. Wanted 'Picasso' but we were looking elsewhere this time around. Thinks SH will become a classic. (Blush)

David P.: 'Northampton started going down hill the day they closed John Levers.' That brings back memories. Northampton Council can't be that great. Had a wonderful evening at Market Harborough.' Last time I played Market Harborough was in the 60's with a local Northampton band. We got beaten up after the gig. Thought I wouldn't mention it - just in case!

Ray Waters: 'Thanks for 'Where Do You All Come From' on this tour. Next time around how about 'Burning Bridges'? I realize you'll have a new album to promote, but I think you've seen the great reception the rarely played tracks have been getting. I saw Leeds, Salford, Cardiff, Wavendon and Dartford - and always appreciate the fact you still feel the desire to get up off your backside to come out and give us a thrill.' Nice one, Ray.

Andy Wainwright: Yup - I got them. Thanks you!

Neil Jeffries went to Ipswich. Surreal setting - wonderful show. Still getting shivers at the set list - why no 'God Take 1'? I'd done it quite recently at Joe's Pub in New York. I was looking for other stuff. ' 'Rain' spectacular.'

Steve Robson: All depends if York comes up with the goods.

Dave: 'Any chance of acoustic shows in the U.S. and Canada?' Well we've moved agencies and I'm doing a new record. We'll see what happens later on. I like doing them. Totally different head to the big band. I like doing both.

Janet Mitchess: Due to work couldn't come - is there going to be a CD? Don't know yet, we've have to see what we've got. Bootlegs, frankly don't help.

Martin: 'Milton Keynes, superb.' Lovely email. Thank you, Martin.

Andy Allison: ''Rain,' what an inspired choice. Hoped you'd do it one day - over the moon you did! Same with 'Scars'. Never thought I'd hear it live.! Well, there are a lot of songs out there, but I've said in the past - I'll eventually get round to them if they're any good.

Geoff Bryant: 'Dartford fantastic!' Geoff wants a CD - we'll see.

Steve Cairns: 'Cardiff was great - excellent venue - appreciative audience. Very pleased to get the book.' I've no idea about 'Artful Dodger'. Trudi thinks it's been licensed to a European label so try Amazon in the UK.

Maria: 'When are you coming back to the Coach House?' 2009.

David Kidd: 'Saw you for the first time in Chicago in '07 - don't know why it took so long to see you - wow, what a show - can't wait.' Goodho.

George Braithwaite: 'Which album would you perform in its entirety on stage?' This concept escapes me. The only one I wouldn't do would be 'The Hoople' - too much like hard work.

Triona: Ireland? There was talk of acoustic shows, but the promoters there would rather 'reintroduce me' with the full band. So we'll see.

Kevin Pipher: 'Congrats on 'Shrunken Heads' and the acclaim it's been getting.'

Don Odell: Has a TV show in Springfield MA and would like us on. I'll pass the info on, Don. Thanks for asking.

Tom McGarry: 'Damn I missed the acoustic gigs and they seem to have been brilliant. (So why did you miss them?) Back in Scotland in 2009.

Geoff Beard: Considers 'Read 'em 'n Weep' to be 'Irene Wilde' part II. (It's not.) 'When you write, do you worry about slipping into someone else's song?' Aaahhhhh - (here were are) - 'I only ask because every time I hear something, it reminds me of something else. Is it age?' Could be.

Kevin Carlini: On about Hall of Fame. It's a list!

Jean Luc-Guerra: I don't know, perhaps Amazon.com

Alex: 'Ipswich great. Nostalgia played a part, but more importantly, you've stayed so relevant. 'Shrunken Heads' is a great record.' Well, thank you, Alex.

Todd Starrke-Meyerring never realized YNAWAS is approaching 30. Sony UK has been good on reissues but this one is Chrysalis - it's up to them really.

Peter Jordan: Nice one. I'll give it 8 out of 10 (the tour, that is!)

Graham Percival: 'Attended Market Harborough. First chance to see you as a solo performer. Can I say it was thoroughly enjoyable. I was not familiar with the material, but I so enjoyed not knowing what came next. Bought 'Shrunken Heads' and EP. They go to India with me as preferred listening.' Lovely.

Alan Graham on the merits of 'Read 'Em 'n' Weep'. I've always thought less of this song than apparently everybody else. The band, Pete Moshe - Andy York especially loves it. I must be missing something. Mind you, it was only because Fred Heller (my then manager) insisted that 'Irene Wilde' was special that it saw the light of day. I just thought A on a G string - pretty average. I wasn't that impressed with 'Ships' either, but Steve Popovich and Sam Lederman made me finish it. Never wanted 'Memphis' out as a single either. Disk Asher waited until my back was turned. Sometimes I can be a pretty bad judge of my own work.

Neil McCormack: Lowry - fantastic. Re: the 'Uncut' article. I never thought that. We had our differences and we could both be pretty stubborn but I always respected him. Sometimes it isn't meant to be.

Andy Malycky: Tours aren't down to me. I just play them - promoters have to want you.

Eric Weston: I make it a point to always forget the worst guitar techs. And I also make it a point to forget the '80's. How are you doing?

Jim Scully: Not necessarily. The set is whatever it becomes before I go out. Songs come into my head and we give them an airing. It's pretty random. Who know what it will be next time. Every tune finds you in a different place.

Dave: Nice one Dave! Hurricane Henry and the Shriekers (no less!!) Take off on Sutch. 'Truly fabulous evening in Market Harborough.' Dave should know - he promoted it.

Ed: It was Mick Ronson - John Cale (not Felix) and Corky. It was a couple of nights in a studio in New York. Cale was doing a Bobby Neuwirth album but Bobby was late coming in from the West Coast. Off the cuff - stream of consciousness - nothing rehearsed - workshop stuff. I think it shows the creative process to some degree. Felix up in Woodstock but nothing was recorded.

Yvonne: Noted.

Pam: 'Did the Saw Mill get flooded today?' Don't know, wasn't here.

Bill Kershaw: 'I liked the Leeds venue better, but thought you were better in Manchester. The Troc (Philly) was the best. Are you doing a new CD?' Not yet. I'm working on the songs first, and then we'll do the CD.

Jim McConnell: 'Enjoyed recent gigs s usual. Did you and the guys have a good time? Yes we did. 'Liked Amy peace too; any plans to work together?' She's asked me to help her out on a song on her new CD. 'When can we expect the new album?' Hopefully, early next year. 'Are we likely getting the full band tour (UK) next year?' If the CD is out we will support it.

Paul Stepto loved Dartford - impressed by Amy. Moaning about people who go to the toilet during a song as opposed to waiting until the end of a song. (If you gotta go - you gotta go.)

Bill C: 'What's with the striped shirt?' I've had few comments about my choice of shirts but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I am sartorial and not to be tampered with and it's not one shirt - it's one of a few. Bill loved Brooklyn.

James Rawnsley apologizing for over imbibing in Cardiff. Don't remember dear boy - think nothing of it.

Andy Diament: 'Finally got to see you in Plymouth. Loved the set - beautiful songs. Can I apologize for the morons who were so loud you had to stop in 'Irene Wilde'? We're not like that in the Southwest though next time you'll get a brilliant reception in Penzance or Falmouth. Go on - think about it.' I just thought it was a lousy place. We did let it affect us. The promoter was a nice enough guy - he bought the club for the night. I thought the place was filthy. Thing is, if people talk, I lose track of the lyric. Why pay to come in? Jeff Tweedy's brilliant on this subject. Go to the pub if you want to talk.

Verne (Ohio): Don't remember this. I was not well around that time so I wasn't seeing people much after the shows. All fixed now! Don't worry about it.

Rick Burchel: 'Madonna???? ROCK AND ROLL???? WHAT AN INSULT TO YOU.' No, no, no, Rick. That's not the way it works.

Charlie Wayne: Not this year - next year. You're probably right about the Mick Ralphs thing, but I'm not clear on it.

Jan Peter Reeves: Got it back intact - no broken glass. It's on the sideboard in the bedroom at the moment - probably will wind up in the library. I'm not a painter, but it looks very good to me. Glad you enjoyed Dartford - I did too.

Paul D: Not at all satisfied with my bands and says some of his mates aren't either. You can't please 'em all. I do what feels right for me and these guys are my true mates off stage as well. Look at this site. Yours is the only letter. I do what I do and because of my experience I trust myself. If and when we feel it's time for a change we'll make the changes - as I have frequently in the past. Quite frankly, I've never been happier.

Tim Smith: In general I'm not really interested in what's gone on before. Old recordings make me wince. I'm not good at listening to myself so I'm not the best judge. You do it for me! Having said all this, I did hear the Croydon stuff and the first few songs were Mott exactly as I remember. I think Peter Purnell's put out some dodgy stuff in the past, but this CD makes up for them.

Simon Drewry: I believe some shows were recorded. Heard nothing yet, but I've only been home a few days. It'll take its course.

Roberta: Come to Italy! There are tons of Mott/IH fans in Italy very eager to see you live; please consider! Consider it considered.

Keith Nickless: 'Thanks for the acoustic tour - would you do Glastonbury? The people who run Glastonbury were at the Jools Holland New Year's TV show when I was on. Unfortunately owing to the shows stipulations, I was only able to perform old Mott hits. They probably think that's all I do so I've never been asked. It's sad that when you do Letterman or Jools they put you back in the oldies box. What do you do? Turn them down? Tricky one, that.

Joe Manzello: What are the other MTHers doing now? I see Mick quite a lot - he's just reformed his version of Bad Co. I think they're call X-Com. Mick's well fit and rarin' to go. I see Phally too - both he and Mick sit in from time to time. Pete wants nothing to do with the music industry (who does) and walks all over England. Buff's living in Wales - haven't seen him in a while. Phally said he was thinking about coming to Dartford, but he didn't. It would have been nice to see him again.

Geoff Bryant thinks the acoustic tour was fantastic and would like a CD. We're working on it.

Gary Pattinson: 'Dartford, brilliant.'

James Takahashi: Around 15.

Kane Mannic: 'I was at Hammersmith Odeon in '79 when you appeared to give your guitar away, the roadies got it back and you promptly gave it away again - smokey grey Les Paul - featured in pics on 'Welcome to the Club'. Do you remember this? And, did the punter get to keep it?' It was one of only five solid rosewoods built for some exhibition. Very heavy (I had two from Mannys in New York). I must have wanted to give something back. Have you any idea how hard it is to give a guitar away? Eventually the kid got it, but other kids wanted pieces of it so it got torn apart. I meant well, but really it was a dumb thing to do.

Dennis Dahill: Yeah, but if we'd have been bigger, we'd have had to put up with mass stupidity. Idiots, stalkers, lawsuits - never ending soul-stealing tours. No thanks. I like it just the way it was.

Kevin Haverty thinks 'Shrunken Heads' is one of the best if not the best album of 2007. 'Insights into politics, fear and greed right on target.'

Andy Sibson: Thanks, Andy

Paul Rivers: Dartford a pain in the ass to get to. Tell me about it.

Ted Bochanski: 'I was invited to the Troc show in December - what a treat. Since then I've bought several albums, including 'Rant' and 'Truth'. 'Dead Man Walkin'' a particular favourite.' Inspired Ted to call his Dad more often. Nice one!

Bill C. : Noted. Not a bad idea at all. I'll shove it on the wall.

That's it kids - up to date now. Missed a few but got most of them. I won't be late next time as I'm off the road for a while. Feels good. Take it easy.

IH
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